Are GPs willing to prescribe anti-Anxiety meds?

Moonstruck · ‎14-04-2016

Am I wrong in my assumption that GPs are in the main, reluctant to prescribe"tranquillisers" as they used to be known?

(I DON'T mean anti-depressants)

Thank goodness my GP supplies something mild for me to sleep when needed - she knows I don't abuse them and make them last....and I simply can't function without adequate sleep. I have no bad side effects or overly drowsy next day....I find them very good for me at least....but do GPs still prescribe something to help for rising anxiety, leading into panic etc....if needed during the day??

Over the years I used alcohol....coming close to death several times...I've been off it for 3 years.....so now have nothing at all to ease the anxiety during the day! If I take a drink it will kill me....but am under the impression that GPs don't like prescribing medication ..going back to alcohol would be much worse for me - I realise that, so I won't. I just go through hell with the anxiety some days! (I was approaching agoraphobia a number of years back, so don't want the anxiety to lead to that again either!)

I recall a couple of GPs (when I requested something to help me sleep) recoiled in horror as if I'd asked for poison or illicit drugs! they went onto suggest all sorts of alternatives.....music, relaxation tapes, meditation, yoga, prayer etc etc...all well and good..but they just did not want to give me any medication!

I've never asked my current GP for something for daytime use here and there, but should do so next time as I have begun taking tiny amounts of my sleeping meds, just to get through bad anxiety episodes in the daytime......does anyone know the current attitudes of GPS re this...why are they so reluctant to help us in this way?.....Would they rather I had a drink instead?.....

Elizabeth CP · ‎14-04-2016

My GP prescribed sleeping tablets @ one point & my psychiatrist encourages me to use them when required. I have never had problems with drug & alcohol abuse so that may be a factor. I was also prescribed anti anxiety meds by my GP. My psychologist had suggested them to use to calm down when required & I explained to the GP what I wanted them for. By having a frank discussion about the issues & what you want the tablets for it gives the GP the best chance to understand your needs & make the right decision to suit you.

pipsy · ‎14-04-2016

Hi Moonstruck. In answer to your question re: G.P's prescribing tranquillisers (sedatives, I think they're now referred to). If your Dr knows you and understands why you need them. I think he would prescribe them as a short term solution, if you're having trouble relaxing. However, if you're a stranger to the Dr i.e first time patient, he may be a bit uncertain. If you are a first time patient and can provide proof that you have used the meds before, sensibly, it's possible he will re-prescribe further treatment. He may also look for alternatives to the medication to see if something else might be better. A good G.P may discuss with you what is the cause of your anxiety/depression if that's what he thinks, before prescribing meds. Sometimes AD's do help for short term solutions, the Dr would be the best judge and can only be guided by what you tell him.

Lynda.

Moonstruck · ‎19-04-2016

Thanks Pipsy and Elizabeth....I wouldn't say I had trouble with "drug and alcohol abuse" either Elizabeth.....alcohol was always accessible, whereas I didn't think GPs in the main, liked prescribing anti-anxiety pills......(as distinct from anti depressants which I don't want, or need)

Pipsy you said the GP "may look for alternatives"...yes I know,that's my point, and I realise what those alternatives are........and I have always known for years, what the cause of my anxiety is...

...I am still wondering if GPs in the main, usually refuse to prescribe anti anxiety meds for daytime use.......or do I go on, delving into my night-time sleepers?......alcohol is still accessible to lower the anxiety/panic....but I would much rather know I had an alternative that wasn't going to kill me...whereas alcohol will.. the meds seem the lesser of two evils.

Has anyone else got a viewpoint at all, or had experience with GPS refusing to give anti-anxiety meds for daytime use?.....BlondGuy, I'd be interested to hear your experience with this, if you want to share.....

pipsy · ‎20-04-2016

Hi Moonstruck. Have you used anti-anxiety meds before, if you have I would have a talk with your Dr and let him know, if you can, what you used, over how long a period of time and if they were able to help with your anxieties. I think, if the Dr is comfortable with you using an anti-anxiety med for a short time, he may prescribe them. Have you known the Dr long, or is he a relatively new Dr, or have you changed Dr's yourself. If you are a new patient, perhaps if you contact your previous Dr and arrange for your records to be transferred so this Dr can see what you were previously treated with, and what, if anything the results were. This will give the new Dr (if that's what you mean) a guide as to how to treat now. If this Dr has been treating you for some time and you're not altogether satisfied with him, you could 'shop' around for another Dr. Dr's today do have to be careful when prescribing any sort of meds, particularly anti-anxiety. I would suggest you return to your Dr and explain what you used, over how long. Did you keep records (journal) re: how you felt while using them, if you did, take that with you. I think, once the Dr is satisfied you responded favourably to the meds, he may prescribe on-going treatment.

Paul may be able to assist you further on this.

Lynda

geoff · ‎20-04-2016

hi Moonstruck, my doctor had given me some anti-anxiety tablets which can become addictive and from memory it was after a hip operation, so I had asked for a repeat script, but he said that he didn't want to give it to me, and he and I get on really well and talk about a lot of topics, so we both knew each other really well, but his reason was that because they are addictive and I have OCD was the reason why he wouldn't give the script to me.
He then asked if I needed an opioid for pain relief, but I declined because I wasn't in any pain, but he would have given it to me but that script would have been the last one, as I have had another hip operation before this one.
So if these anti-anxiety tablets are addictive then he/she may not give them to you.
I realise that you could probably go doctor shopping, but long term I don't think that this is going to help you, as it's only procrastinating the problem. Geoff.

blondguy · ‎22-04-2016

Good Morning Moonstruck

In my other post I did see your question and sorry I couldnt answer it there. There are people with life long and well managed generalised anxiety disorder. Mine is well managed and have fortunate to have had the same GP for 20 years. Benzo's are addictive however I have known several people that have had severe anxiety and stopped taking them without an issue.

If I may ask Moon....how long have you had your anxiety for?

Lynda and Geoff have covered the topic very well. I thought I'd try to help 🙂

Always great to speak to you Moon

Paul

Moonstruck · ‎28-04-2016

Sorry it's taken so long to answer your straight forward question BlondGuy - thanks for your interest. just didn't want to ramble on too much which I am prone to....."how long"? you ask.

....Gee.you see, back around the late 80s or so, mental health conditions weren't even recognised much or given names....looking back (as if at a different person's life).....I had several traumatic life events happen, seemingly one on top of the other in a space of about 6 years.. (PTSD hadn't been heard of then, at least not discussed).

First my husband left me and 2 little boys...I went from being happily married to Centrelink applying for the Single Mothers pension the next day.

Next my father died.....he had been wonderful to my boys, filling in for their father the best he could...they adored Grandad.

Then I found a full time job.....which I loved...adored that job...my only "escape" from the emotional misery and domestic, financial and legal stress I was suffering. (I used alcohol to get me through all this).....Next my relationship with a man I loved dearly and supported me all the way ended (on his part) I was heartbroken.......about a year later I lost my job and source of income....(company downsizing etc)....so I was on the dole. I grieved terribly for that job and my workmates. I still find it hard to walk past the building..I was SO happy there.

Job searching proved fruitless..knock back after knock back. I became so anxious at interviews I had to drink beforehand.....I was so desperate for work. I was grieving for 3 things now..my marriage, my lover, my job...all the while having 2 growing boys (now into adolescence) with all the problems that brings.

Agoraphobia and panic attacks began to set in....and I couldn't get out of the house even for scheduled appointments until lunch time after I had had enough drinks for Dutch Courage.

I was so terrified of what was going to happen to me next - after all these losses in a row!.........no psychological support was ever suggested or offered. It was regarded as just "life"...bad things happen....you have to cope with them! No meds, no counselling...just my beloved "friend" in the fridge (or cupboard)......I "got over" the traumatic losses I guess after all these years have passed...but was left with Anxiety......that's my story BlondGuy.......hope it filled you in a bit........you're a great guy...glad we met!

blondguy · ‎29-04-2016

Hey Moon...You have really been through the wringer..really sorry about your dad....that would have been awful..

The GP's can script out the basic types of anti-anxiety meds but the best one has been classified as a 'controlled drug' and now needs a permit from the psychiatrist.I think you may be able to figure out which one it is. Whether or not they are addictive to my anxiety was not a concern as I wanted to work and sleep again.....and heal...not waste my life going around in circles in a never ending acute anxiety state.I take a minor dose every night since 1997 and have my sleep back.

Your background with anxiety is very similar to mine..In 1987 I was that paralyzed but anxiety...agoraphobia...I couldnt leave the house...I checked to see if my local council had a mental health worker and yay..they did. He actually came out to my house and talked me through the anxiety..I then visited him ever 2 two weeks for six months...he was a legend....a psychiatric nurse who really picked my brain and I was crying ....venting...for the first few visits. Crucial to do this to recover even partially....regular therapy.

The doctors do look at you weird I know....My anxiety was daily and severe so I got the blue one...2 odd years ago they came up with this permit system to stop the crims from selling them individually in the street...So even I was on them and had a current script I still had to get my GP to give me a referral to a psychiatrist and then I got the permit in a flash once I told him how much my anxiety effected my work.

What the GP's have now are okay..but didnt really work for me. This one is brilliant.

I hope this has been of some help Moon! Thankyou 🙂 for you kind compliment too!

Paul

Moonstruck · ‎29-04-2016

Thanks - a very interesting albeit rather cryptic message...."I think you may be able to figure out which one...."you said.

well, maybe I can, maybe not..I have never heard of needing it to be referred by a psychiatrist though....(I wonder if it's the same in my State) anyway..mine for sleeping is "a blue one" also.....what a coincidence! And, as with yours....it is excellent!!

And, like you, I am not concerned if its "addictive" or not! I know I use it sparingly and sensibly, so does my GP obviously.....as I said in an earlier post....alcohol is addictive too and readily available to me....it will kill me, slowly and not in a pretty way. my "blue one" won't. Just hope those who abuse it, sell it illegally or sensationalise it in the media don't lead to further restrictions............cheers for now.....